Spider for line tap



July 18, 1961 L. L. JUGLE SPIDER FOR LINE TAP Filed Nov. 3, 1958 /7? 1/872 for. Zea/lard ALJey {e United States Patent 2,993,083 SPIDER FOR LINE TAP Leonard L. Jugle, Elmhurst, lll., assignor to Reliable filectric Company, Franklin Park, 111., a corporation of linois Filed Nov. 3, 1958, Ser. No. 771,492 3 Claims. (Cl. 174-71) This invention relates to devices for tapping electrical conductors, and in particular, to an improved device in the form of a spider by means of which a plurality of taps can be brought out from a single point of the condoctor.

The usual device employed for tapping a conductor, such as a power line, is a distribution clamp which clamps the power line and provides means for clamping the. end of the service wire. It is oftentimes installed at an intermediate portion of the span of the power line with theresult that the power line itself serves as a supporting means for the clamp and the end of the service wire. It often happens that one desires to bring out several taps from about the same point of a power line, and the present invention is directed to a device whereby this may be done with only one distribution clamp, instead of using a separate distribution clamp for each service wire, thus resulting in economies in both material and in labor.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved device for tapping up to four service wires from a power line.

Another object of this invention is to provide such a device in the form of a spider which is formed from an inexpensive type of stock, and which is easy to install.

Other objects, features and advantages of this invention will become apparent as the description proceeds.

With reference now to the drawings in which like reference numerals designate like parts.

FIG. 1 is a plan view of the present invention as installed;

FIG. 2 is an elevation of the spider in an intermediate stage of manufacture;

FIG. 3 is an elevation of the completed spider, and

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 3, and which also shows in dotted lines the shape of the jaws of the distribution clamp.

Referring now to FIG. 1, which depicts one way of connecting the spider to the power conductor or line, the reference numeral designates a power line and the reference numeral 11 designates the spider. The spider 11 is connected to the power line 10 by means of a suitable connector, such as a distribution clamp 12 which, as shown in FIG. 4, comprises two jaws 12a and 12b which are connected to each other by a suitable nut and bolt 120, shown in FIG. 1.

Service wires 13 are connected to the spider 11 by compression sleeves 14 or other suitable connectors.

The intermediate stage of manufacture shown in FIG. 2 illustrates the nature of the structure of the spider. The spider comprises two lengths of cylindrical stock 15, such as No. 2 gage (B. & S.) solid aluminum wire, of which the central portions are twisted together as indicated by the reference numeral 16,

As shown in FIG. 3 the twisted central portions are swaged to provide a spider having a merged portion 18 having a substantially cylindrical surface. The swaging securely interlocks the two lengths of stock 15 to each other against longitudinal movement. The cylindrical surface enables the merged portion 18 to be securely engaged in electrical conducting relationship by the distribution clamp 12, this relationship of the parts being shown in FIG. 4.

After swaging, the assembly is annealed to remove all Patented July 18, 1961 work hardening, thus facilitating installation. In other words by virtue of the annealing, the end portions 17 of the spider may be easily bent so that the compression sleeves 14 will not interfere with each other and so that the service wires 13 may be brought out at any desired angle. A comparison of FIGS. 1 and 3 indicates the nature of the bending.

From the viewpoint of cost, wire is the preferred stock, and when the distribution clamp 12 is made of aluminum, aluminum wire is preferred for the spider, as well as aluminum for the compression sleeves or other connectors. When the spider is thus formed of aluminum the annealing softens the material to such an extent that the end portions 18 can be bent by hand,

In operation, the spider 11 may first be connected to the service wire 13 by the compression sleeves, and then the assembly may be secured to the power line 10 by the distribution clamp 12. In the event that the local code requires the use of insulated service wires and taped fittings, the whole assembly may be taped, including the compression sleeves, the spider, and the distribution clamp.

As previously indicated, the cylindrical surface of the merged portion 18 permits good electrical contact with the distribution clamp, and also a strong mechanical connection between the parts.

Although only a preferred embodiment of my invention is shown and described herein, it will be understood that various modifications and changes may be made in the construction shown without departing from the spirit of my invention as pointed out by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A multiple connector for use in connecting a plurality of service wires to a line conductor comprising, in combination, a distribution clamp having two sets of jaws, each set of jaws providing a through opening of substantially circular cross section, a spider comprising two lengths of solid cylindrical electrical conducting stock, the central portions of which are twisted one around the other in intimate electrical conducting relationship and engaged by one of said sets of jaws, said twisted central portions being shaped to provide a merged central portion having a substantially cylindrical surface so as to provide good electrical contact with the surfaces of said jaws, the end portions of said lengths of stock being separate from each other to provide terminal portions for connection with said service wires.

2. A multiple connector for use in connecting a plurality of service wires to a line conductor comprising, in combination, a distribution clamp having two sets of jaws, each set of jaws providing a through opening of substantially circular cross section, a spider comprising two lengths of solid cylindrical electrical conducting stock, the central portions of which are twisted one around the other in intimate electrical conducting relationship and engaged by one of said sets of jaws, said twisted central portions being shaped to provide a merged central portion having a substantially cylindrical surface so as to provide good electrical contact with the surfaces of said jaws, the end portions of said lengths of stock being separate from each other, and compression sleeves carried by said separate end portions for effecting electrical connection with a plurality of service wires.

3. A multiple connector for use in connecting a plurality of service wires to a line conductor comprising, in combination, a clamping device having a plurality of clamping portions and providing through opening means for receiving said line conductor and a spider, said spider comprising two lengths of solid cylindrical electrical conducting stock, the central portions of which are twisted one around the other in intimate electrical conducting 3 4 relationship and engaged by at least one of said clamping References Cited in the file of this patent portions, said twisted central portions being shaped to provide a merged central portion having a substantially UNITED STATES PATENTS cylindrical surface so as to provide good electri al con- 2,145,040 Cawthra Jan. 24, 1939 tact with the surface of said clamping portion, the end 5 portions of said lengths of stock being separate from each FOREIGN PATENTS other to provide terminal portions for connection with 1,043,539 France June 10, 1953 said service wires. 1,137,642 France Jan. 14, 1957 

